Interview with Alexandra Roach for No Offence series 2

5 December 2016

This series we see Joy really step up and feel comfortable in her role as Detective Sergeant. Joy has enjoyed working with her new boss Lickberg (Sarah Solemani) in Viv’s absence. That is, until Viv comes back and Joy is stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to please the both of them - her loyalty and conscience divided.

Having Viv back in charge is the boost the team needed. Having her rally the troops and follow her lead is such a rush for Joy. She aspires to be just like Viv with her confidence, balls, incredible instinct and commanding the team the way she does. Joy always wants to be a very astute detective and do everything by the book, taking no shortcuts - unlike Viv and Dinah, which puts her relationship with them under immense pressure this series.

What a joy it has been to film everyday with such amazing women taking the lead roles in this series. The new member of the police team is Lickberg, who has been in command since Viv was on leave. She is very tough with high standards and a no nonsense approach. Joy wants to impress her and get her respect. In a way she is very like Lickberg and I think Lickberg sees a lot of herself in Joy. They understand each other and strive to be the best. She is an inspiration to Joy and makes her believe she can be confident and lead a whole team one day. 

As always when returning to a character after a year and a half of working on other projects and parts - I liken it to putting on a wet damp cold swimming costume for the first week or so. It feels very weird and uncomfortable and you’re not sure if you are on the right track. After a week of living in Manchester and hearing the accent all around me and on set, I fall right back into the rhythm of it and enjoy standing in Joy’s shoes again. 

I love Manchester. A lot of the same crew came back and it was like a big reunion with us cast going out for dinner and catching up. There is so much happening in Manchester it was great to spend 6 months filming there immersing myself in the culture. 

Working with so many women never ever happens in TV and that’s what makes No Offence so individual and different. I’ve been lucky enough to have done a variety of both contemporary and period drama. I enjoy the challenge of social constraints in period dramas where you can’t say what you really think as you’re a woman and have to wear a corset! It’s very different to putting on modern clothes and having power and authority in saying what you believe. Plus the make up call for a period drama is always very early and for No Offence it was 30mins - so more time in bed! 

The cast being together again was my favourite part of this job. As there as so many of us in the Friday Street police station scenes. We really spend a lot of time together and this shows on screen as all of us bring something new to the dynamic of the group. It was wonderful being back with everyone and having that support when shooting for so many months away from home.

This series also sees a new relationship blossom for Joy. Ewan (Felix Scott) is a fellow Officer newly transferred to Friday Street. They bond over solving a case together and a bottle of wine and things are looking up for Joy - but as always in No Offence….